Photographic-plate handle or holder



(No Model.)

W. K. MOODY.

PHOTOGRAPHIG PLATE HANDLE 0R HOLDER. No. 402,961. Patented May 7,1889.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

\VILLIAM K. MOODY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

PHOTOGRAPHlC-PLATE HANDLE OR HOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 402,961, dated May 7, 1889.

Application filed November 30, 1888. Serial No. 292,228. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern/.-

Be it known that I, XVILLIAM K. MOODY, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachiiisetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Photographic-Plate Handles or Holders, of which the followingis a specification.

My invention relates to that class of photographic-plate handles or holders employed in manipulating the plates in the developing and fixing solutions, in forming negative-drying supports, &c., it being the objects of the invention to provide such improvements in plate handles or holders as will enable the operator to readily engage or take hold of the plate with the improved device without the necessity of first lifting the plate up in the tray or raising it from the surface upon which it may be lying, as is now usual, and also to enable the operator to handle the plate with perfect security during all stages of the development and formation of the negative.

It is also the object of the invention to provide a device which will enable the plate to be readily lifted out of the box in which it may be packed or stored.

My invention consists of a photographicplate handle or holder comprising arms or supports provided 011 their ends with broad hooks, jaws, or clasps adapted to embrace or grasp the edge of the plate, the edge of the lower portion of the hook,jaw, or clasp being constructed and arranged to slip under the edge of the plate when the jaw or clasp is sprung, drawn, or snapped thereover, all as is hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Of the drawings hereto annexed and forming a part of this specification, Figure l is a perspective view of my improved handle or holder and a photogrophic plate, showing the manner of using the invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective detail designed to fully illustrate the construction of the broad hooks, jaws, or clasps on the ends of the arms or supports. Fig. 3 is a sectional detail, hereinafter more particularly referred to.

The same letters of reference designate the same parts in all of the figures.

a designate arms formed by bending a length of wire or suitable material so as to the loop 1) provides a convenient means of carrying and manipulating the holder.

The hooks, jaws, or clasps d d are made quite broad-that is, so as to extend a considerable distance along the edge and the upper and lower surface near the edge, as shown, the lower portion of the hook or jaw extending beneath the plate being provided with a substantially rounded or sharp edge, 9, so that when it is sprung over the edge of the plate f said edge Q will readily pass beneath the plate, as will be understood without further explanation. The upper lip or portion of each jaw or clasp is upwardly inclined with respect to the surface of the plate, so as not to be brought into contact with the film on its face, which film usually extends to the edge of the plate, as will appear by an inspection of Fig. The nature of the hold or grasp of the jaws or clasps on the edge of the plate is such that the plate will be firmly held, even though the holder be moved out to the extreme end; hence it can readily be utilized as a negativedrying support, and, furthermore, as itis desirable in some instances to hold the plate by the extreme edges to permit of a free inspection of the picture, my improvement fully meets this want.

In using the device one hook, jaw, or clasp may be engaged. with one edge of the plate, with the other resting upon the surface of the plate about the length of the lip of the hook from the opposite edge, as indicated by dotted lines at the left in Fig. 1. Then by pressing slightly down on the bow or loop I), and somewhat in the direction of the jaw resting upon the surface of the plate, the latter jaw will be snapped over and engage the edge of the plate, as shown in full lines at the left in Fig. 1; or as, for example, when plates are lifted out of the box in which they may be packed or stored only slight downward pressure is needed to engage both clasps with the edges of the plate. The holder may be disengaged from the plate by slight pressure on the bow, so as to separate the jaws, and taking hold of the spring-arms with the fingers of the hand to maintain them in separated position for the moment required to lift the holder away from the plate; or by pressing downward on' the arms the jaws will separate and the plate may readily be slid out from between them. In this way plates can be readily manipulated or handled without touching them with the fingers of the operator and without the necessity of the operator at any time putting his fingers in the solution, and it is not necessary that the plate should first be raised from the surface 011 which it may be lying before it can be engaged by the holder, as is now commonly the case; neither is the plate raised to an appreciable extent from the bottom of the-tray, so that it does not necessitate an undue increase of the amount of developing solution used.

It is obvious that changes may be made in the form and arrangement of parts comprising the invention without departing from the nature or spirit of the same;

Having thus described my invention, I declare that what I claim is 1. A photographic-plate holder consisting of spring-arms provided on their ends with broad hooks or jaws formed to embrace the edge of a plate, the lower portion of each hook or jaw being constructed with asubstantially rounded or sharp edge, as described, whereby it is adapted to readily pass under the edge of the plate, substantially as set forth.

2. A photographic-plate holder consisting of the spring-arms 00, provided on their ends with the hooks or jaws d, formed to embrace the edge of a plate, the lower lip or portion of each hook or jaw being constructed with a substantially rounded or sharp edge, whereby it is adapted to readily pass under the edge of the plate, and the loop or bow b, substantially as set forth.

3. A photographic-plate holder or handle consisting of arms or supports provided with broad hooks, jaws, or clasps, the lower lip of each of which is constructed with a substantially rounded or sharp edge, as described, whereby it is adapted to pass under the plate, and the upper lips of which jaws are inclined with respect to the surface of the plate or film, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 26th day of November, A. D. 1888.

\VILLIAM K. MOODY.

.Witnesses:

ARTHUR W. ORossLEY, A. D. HARRISON. 

